WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION COLLABORATIVE CROSS-NATIONAL SURVEY

HBSC News

Five countries (Belgium, Canada, Italy, Romania and England) were assessed in terms of individual- and school-level characteristics including family affluence, democratic school social climate and perceived neighbourhood social capital in their relation to civic engagement of 15-year-old students. It was found that family affluence, democratic school climate and perceived neighbourhood social capital was positively related to participation in community organizations. These links were more significant at the collective contextual level than individual level and varied between countries. Results showed Canadian youth to participate most and Romanian youth least. Gender was important in predicting engagement in two countries (girls participate more in Canada, boys in Italy).